Search - Greenberry Woods :: Rapple Dapple

Tragically Neglected Power Pop Heroes

paperbackriter | USA | 03/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unforgettable hooks, tight harmonies and gutsy guitars make "Rapple Dapple" a delicious piece of power pop confection. Fans of the Beatles, Badfinger, Raspberries, etc. will feel right at home with the Greenberry Woods. While lead track "Trampoline" earned much deserved airplay (not to mention an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien), every cut on this disc possesses that beautiful airy quality which is pre-requisite for pop perfection. Lyrically speaking, nothing on "Rapple Dapple" is world-changing, but who cares? Pop afficianados want melody and more melody and the Greenberries happily oblique. After a couple spins, songs like "Feels So Strange" and "More and More" will be lodged so deeply in your head, they may never escape. Retro influenced, yet modern enough to be relevant, "Rapple Dapple" was easily one of the best releases of the mid-Nineties. Quite predictably, the disc was tragically overlooked by radio and the media who were too busy kissing up to horrible Grunge/ Alternative rockers. Regardless, this Maryland-based quartet was the real deal -- truly deserving heirs to the pop throne built by Brian Wilson and the Beatles. If you dig "Rapple Dapple", be sure to check out their equally outstanding second effort "Big Money Item"."

Great disc from University of Maryland hometown heroes

Perry M. Koons | Crownsville, MD United States | 07/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Following in the power pop footsteps of University of MD singer songwriter Tommy Keene, the Greenberry Woods release this debut record in 1994 with the help of producer Andy Paley (of Brian Wilson fame). The Greenberry Woods sound is not too far removed from other major power pop acts of the day, especially Metthew Sweet and the Posies. Big hooks with reverance for the Beatles and Beach Boys, and just a touch of the grunge influence that was sweeping the nation at the time. Though their follow up CD Big Money Item was stronger throughout, this was a surprisingly accomplished debut. Unfortunately it didn't do much business, even on a major label... There's enough good tunes here to keep any pop fan happy, and for the price, you can't go wrong.



Best Tracks:

"Trampoline" - Got a bit of airplay and earned the band a spot on Rhino compilation Poptopia!

"#37 (Feels So Strange)" - Pure pop with an especially strong Byrds influence in the guitar sound. Really good vocal breakdown too.

"Sentimental Role" - Nice Beatles-inspired pop song with a verse hook that's just as strong as the chorus.

"I'll Send A Message" - More upbeat than the previous 3 songs, with really clever lyrics to boot - "I used to play love tongue in cheek, now I wish I kept my tongue in check" - brilliant!"